INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Colts have already beaten the defending NFC champs, two of the league's 6-1 teams and the best offense in football.

Their next challenge comes Sunday when they'll face the NFL's No. 1 defense, in Houston.

For Indianapolis (5-2), this season has been all about the matchups. There was Peyton Manning's return, the Pagano brothers going head-to-head, Andrew Luck returning to his college stomping grounds one week and facing his former college teammate, Richard Sherman, the next. Darrius Heyward-Bey and Vontae Davis got to face their old teams, too.

But this week, the stakes are higher.

If the Colts beat two-time defending division champion Houston (2-5), on the road, the Colts would control the AFC South title chase with eight games to play.